Timothy E. Simpson
Agency patch
Sergeant

Timothy E. Simpson

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA
Felonious Veteran
End of Watch November 17, 2008
Age 46
Tour of Duty 25 yrs
The Vigil Panel 157 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sergeant Timothy Simpson was killed when his patrol car was struck by a vehicle being operated by an intoxicated driver.

At approximately 10:30 pm, Sergeant Simpson was en route to a robbery call when his patrol car was involved in a collision with a vehicle at the intersection of Allegheny and Aramingo Avenues. He was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

It was determined that the operator of the vehicle that struck Sergeant Simpson's patrol car was intoxicated and he was taken into custody. The driver pled guilty to the criminal killing of Sergeant Simpson on October 17, 2011, and was sentenced to 19 to 40 years in state prison.

Sergeant Simpson had served with the Philadelphia Police Department 24th District for 20 years hand had previously served with the United States Army Military Police Corps. Prior to joining the Philadelphia Police Department, he served as a Police Officer with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Police Department.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-0676FBD7
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Simpson gave the Philadelphia Police Department 25 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Philadelphia, PA
Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 17, 2008
Tour of Duty 25 yrs
Age 46
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Vehicular assault
Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
Offender Sentenced to 40 years

Military Service

Timothy E. Simpson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Sergeant Timothy E. Simpson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.

Philadelphia Police Department
162
of 378 officers
42.9% Felonious
PA — Statewide
597
of 1,261 officers
47.3% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Timothy E. Simpson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Timothy E. Simpson Compares

Age at End of Watch
46
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
25
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 40 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Timothy E. Simpson is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Timothy E. Simpson was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location